Transformer gin



Feb. 2, k1943. D. e. HUBBARD A 2,309,769

TRANSFORMER GIN Filed Sept. 12, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb- 2, 1943- -D.c. HUBBARD TRANSFORMER `GIN Filedsept. 12. 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb.2,1943. D C, HUBBARD 2,309,769

` TRANsFoRMER-GIN I Filed sept.' 12, 1941, Y s sheets-sheet s4 PatentedFeb. 2, 1943 TRANSFORMER. can

David C. Hubbard, C'entralia, Mc., assigner to A. B. Chance Company,Centralia, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Application September 12,1941, Serial No. 410,565

c claims. (0,1.,248-231) V The present invention relates to transformergins, and is particularly concerned with the provision of an improvedgin for use in hoisting transformers to the top of transmission linepoles so that the transformer can be secured to the pole in any desiredposition.

One of the objects of the invention is the provision of a transformergin of the class described which is light so that it requires a minimumamount of steel, but it is also sturdy and so constructed that it isadapted to lift very heavy weights without any possibility of breakageof its parts.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improvedtransformer gin of the class described which is adapted to be secured ona pole so firmly that there is no possibility of an accident or of thesecuring means coming loose during the lifting of a transformer.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improvedtransformer gin of the class described which is adapted to be attachedto a line pole at any desired point and also adapted to be attached tothe pole and the cross arm so that it is best located when thetransformer is to hang from the cross arm.

Another object of the invention is the pro- Vision of an improvedtransformer gin which is simple, capable of economical manufacture andsale, light, and sturdy.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a tool or device ofthe class described, adapted to be used in connection with an adjacentline pole for lifting all sorts of devices, such as, for example,loading or unloading a pole from a vehicle.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device of theclass described which is adapted to be secured very firmly to the pole,but in which the securement or removal can be effected very quickly sothat time and labor are saved by the use of the device.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved deviceof the class described, which has provision for preventing the twistingof the ropes of the block which is used for lifting the transformer orother article.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description and the accompanying drawings, in which similarcharacters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the severalviews.

Referring to the three sheets of drawings accompanying thisspecification,

Fig. 1 is an elevational View showing two of the transformer ginsattached to a line pole in dierent ways;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational View of the trans'- former gin apart fromthe pole;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the transformer gin, partiallybroken away, to show vertical sections of the structure at importantpoints;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view on a larger scale, taken on aplane at right angles to the pole and passing through theaxis of thesecuring bolt 12.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view, takenv on the plane of the line 55 of Fig. 3, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view, taken on the plane of the line 66 of Fig. 3, lookingrin the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary elevational view ofthe chain locking means,taken on the plane of the line 1 1 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is Va fragmentary sectional View, taken on the plane of the line3 8 of Fig. '7;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional View, taken on the plane of the line 99-of Fig. 1.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary top plan view,'shown in partial section, thesection being on the plane of the line 9 9 of Fig. 1.

Referring to Fig. 1, I0 indicates a line pole which is provided with across arm I l, and which is used to illustrate the application of thetwo devices I2 and IZA embodying the invention.

The transformer gins I2 and I2A are identical in construction, butillustrate different points of application of the gin to a pole. The ginwhich is indicated by the numeral I2, for example, preferably consistsof an upwardly extending beam or column I3, which is formed of one ormore steel bars of standard cross section I4, I5. For example, the barsI4, I 5 are preferably of substantially V shaped cross section, the twoangular sides I6, I1, and I8.I I9 being in each instance joined by aflat yoke 2Il or 2|.

The'width o-f the side'ilanges I8, I9 is preferably slightly less thanthat of the side flanges I6 and I1 so that when the V bars are nestedthe yoke 20 is spaced slightly. from the yoke 2l, and the rounded edges22, 23 are close enough to each other to be welded together at 24.

These bars are preferably welded together at both edges, at a pluralityof points 24, equally spaced from each other from the bottom to the topof the beam, as indicated by the numerals in Fig. 1.

The flat yokes 2U, 2l provide a rm bearing for engaging the bolts whichsecure other fixtures to the beam, and they also provide a fiat bearingfor securement of the overhanging arm 25, which is secured to the upperand outer end of the beam I3. This overhanging arm may comprise a castmetal member, the structure of which is best illustrated in Figs. 3 and5. It may be provided with a vertical portion 26, a horizontal portion21, and a diagonal bracing portion 28 integrally joined together to forma triangle.

All three of these portions may be of substantially T shape in crosssection, having outwardly extending ribs at each side and an inwardlyextending web 30, except that the vertical por' tion preferably has itsweb thickened beneath the nut 3| of the screw bolt 32, to provide abetter bearing surface for the nut and a better body for the bore 33,which passes the bolt 32.

The two yokes 20, 2| (Fig. 5) of the beam are provided with registeringapertures 34 for passing the bolt 32, the head of which engages theinner fiat surfaceA of the yoke 20. The vertical portion 26 of the arm25 is preferably of sufcient width to embrace the outer surface of theyoke 2| (Fig. 5), and is also preferably provided with rearwardlyextending lugs 35, 36 on each side of the yoke 2|, engaging outside theside flanges I8, I 9.

From another point of view, the lugs 35, 36 might be regarded asrearward extensions of the upper portion 21 and the diagonal portion 28of the arm 25. These lugs engage the opposite sides of the beam andprevent any teetering or turning of the arm relative to the beam so thatit can be secured tightly in place by a single bolt 32.

The diagonal bracing portion 28 joins the horizontal portion 21 of thearm 25 at a point 31 inwardly of the end of the arm, and the horizontalportion 21 may be thickened and extended to provide a means for supportof a swivel eye 38. This end portion of the arm 25 is provided with avertically extending bore 39 for receiving the screw bolt 40. The eyemay consist of a drop forged steel member having a substantiallycircular eye aperture 4I formed by a curved portion 42, which itself ispreferably circular in cross section.

This curved portion is joined to a flat bearing flange portion 43 at thetop, which has an upper flat surface 44 for engaging the lower flatsurface 45 on the end portion of the arm 25. A threaded bore 56 isprovided in the upper part of the swivel eye 38 for receiving thethreaded portion of the screw bolt 4D.

The screw bolt 4D is preferably of such length that When the head isresting on top of the arm 25 and its end is threaded into the bore 46and there is suicient tolerance so that the swivel eye turns freely withthe bolt in the bore 39, the lower end of the bolt may be riveted overat 41 to make sure that these parts will never separate and never bind.

The bolt may then be provided with one or more punched deformations III,which so deform the threads that the riveted end of the bolt cannotrotate in the swivel eye. There is no danger of the threads of the bolttaking up the clearance which is desired.

The swivel eye 33 is used for receiving the hook 48 of the upper pulley49 of a pulley block. The swivel eye turns freely to permit the ropes ofthe pulley block to be kept untwisted and to permit the operator to pullon the block from any direction.

Referring to Fig. l, the pulley block may be of any standardconstruction, having a lower pulley 58 provided with a hook 5| forsupporting a transformer 52 by means of a rope 53. At its lower end thebeam I3 is preferably provided with a pole-engaging fixture, which isbest illustrated in Figs. l, 3, and 6. This pole-engaging fixture mayconsist of a cast metal member which is provided with beam-engagingsurfaces 5d, 55, 56 complementary in shape and size to the inside of theinnermost bar flanges I6, I1 and 20.

At its lower end this fixture 51 is provided with a laterally projectingfiange 56 at each side, which may engage under the ends of the bars I4,I5 of which the beam is made. This fiange helps to transfer the weightfrom the beam to the fixture 51.

The inner surface of the pole-engaging fixture 51 may be curved at 59,but it is provided at each end with an integral prong 6D, 6I, the prongsbeing equal in length and similar in shape and extending atsubstantially right angles to the yoke 2| or 2) of the beam.

The prongs 60, 6| extend in such a direction that they are adapted to4engage in the line pole, and they are spaced from each other in suchmanner that they engage the opposite sides of the line pole. Thecurvature 59 in the fixture provides sufficient clearance so that theprongs may be driven into the line pole when the gin is secured to thepole as shown at the left in Fig. l.

The fixture 51 is secured to the lower end of the beam by providing theyokes 20, 2| of the beam with a pair of registering apertures 62, 63 forreceiving a screw bolt 64.

The fixture has a threaded bore 65 registering with the apertures 62,63, and the screw bolt has its threaded end driven home in the bore 65until the fixture is drawn tightly into the beam. Since its fiat sidesengage the fiat inner surface of the flanges I6 'and I1 of the yoke 25,there is no possibility of the fixture 51 rotating, and one bolt issufficient to secure it tightly to the beam.

In order to save material this fixture 51 may be made hollow at 66,giving it a substantially trapezoidal shape, with a curved wall towardthe pole.

The gin is provided intermediate its ends, and preferably near the lowerend, with a securing fixture 61, best shown in Figs. l, 3, and 4. Thissecuring fixture may comprise a cast metal member which is adapted toembrace the beam I3 by means of the three fianges 68, 69, and 1I), and ayoke 1I. The flanges 68 and 10 and the yoke 1| have flat inner surfacessubstantially complementary to the outer flat surfaces of the beam I3.

The yoke portion 1| is preferably thickened to provide suicient body forsupporting the bolt 12, which is located in a bore 13, and also passesthrough the registering apertures 1li, 'I5 in the yokes 2B, 2| of thebeam.

When the bolt 12 has its nut driven home, this xture draws the beam intotight engagement with the anges 6B and 10 so that the fixture is firmlysecured to the beam. The point of securement of the fixture ispreferably such that it is spaced from the pole-engaging fixture 51 andalso so that the prongs 60, 6I may be located below the cross arm IIwhen the securing fixture 61 is located above the cross arm in theposition shown at the right hand of Fig. 1. Thus the prongs 60, 6I donot interfere with the attachment of the device to the pole and crossarm.

The beam-engaging flanges 68, 16 and transverse flange 69 are preferablyprovided with narrow extension flanges 1B, 11, which may be joined by ahorizontal Web 18. The extension :flanges 1B and 11 are provided withwhat may be called chisel-shaped extensions or prongs 19, 89 adapted toengage in the Wood of the pole, and the web 18 is curved so that it willnot strike the pole except when the prongs 19, 89 are engaged in thewood of the pole.

The extension fiange 11 is .preferably provided on its outside with achain securing lug 8|, comprising an integral flange having a transversebore 82 for receiving the end link 83 of a galvanized steel chain 84.

The chain 84 is of sufficient length so that it will embrace any pole ortree or other member with which the gin is intended to be used.

The web 18 is preferably provided with a diagonally extending guidegroove, the walls 95, 86 of which are 'adapted to guide the rectangularshank 8'! of a screw bolt. The screw bolt 81 is slidably mounted in thegroove between walls B5, 8S and passes through the diagonal andrectangular aperture 88 in the flange 15.

The threaded end 89 of the bolt 81 passes through a diagonal apertureWhich is located substantially at the corner cf the flanges 59 and 11,and the bolt emerges from the fixture at the bore 98, where the fixturehas an external fiat thrust surface 9|.

The threaded end of the bolt has a nut 92, provided with a laterallyprojecting arm 93, having a ball 99 at the end for engagement with thehand. At its opposite end the bolt 81 is formed With an eye 95 forreceiving a screw bolt 95. The bolt 81 extends diagonally of the fixture61, and is so arranged that it is substantially tangential with respectto the periphery of the pole 91, the curved part of the eye 95 beingturned inwardly.

The eye 95 and bolt 9S support a chain lock 98, which may consist of acast metal or a drop forged member, having a pair of parallel iianges 99and |99 spaced sufficiently to receive the eye 95. The fianges 99 and|99 have a pair of reg.- istering apertures Il, |92, and the screw bolt9B passes through these apertures and .thro-ugh the eye 95, and issecured by a nut |99.

The flanges 99, |99 are spaced by a groove lll-ll suiciently to receivethe eye 95 and permit pivotal movement, and the main body of the chainlock 98 is provided at its opposite end with horizontally extendinggroove |95 of sufficient width to receive one of the chain links ,Whenit is moved edgewise into the groove |95.

In addition to the groove |95, the chain lock 98 is provided with acurved recess |98 of suicient width and curved laterally to fit the endof one of the chain links, as seen in connection With the chain linkindicated at 84 in Fig. 7.

The recess |96 receives a chain link in transverse position so that theend surface |91 of that chain link engages the curved inner surface le@to retain the chain in the lock. The surface it of the recess |99 curvesbackwardly to a point at |09 sufficiently so that the ridge |99 isrearward of the engaging part |01 of the link llt. Thus there is nodanger of the link 84 escaping from the chain lock when a tension isplaced on the chain. The balance of the chain, indicated in dotted linesin Fig. 8, hangs loosely from the chain lock.

The use and operation of the transformer gin is as follows: When the ginis to be applied to a pole above the cross arm, the bolt 12 is loosenedand removed, and the beam I3 is slid out of the aperture in the fixture61. The beam is then applied with the surfaces of its inner iianges I6,|1 engaging the backside of the fixture 61, which is suitably shaped forthis purpose, and the bolt is again inserted through the beam and thenxture 61 and tightened.

For this purpose it will be evident, that, although the outside of thefixture |51 is relieved at |28 (Fig. 4) there is provided avertically-exe tending rib With a flat outer surface at 2| on each sideand additional flat surfaces in the same plane at |22, |23.

The back edge or face of the fixture 61 is flat at |24 and of a sizeadapted to fit on the inside of the beam I3. Thus a single bolt is alsoadapted to secure the fixture 61 in front of the beam so that thefixture 61 has a greater width in front of the beam. The width of thefixture in this case is suiiicient to traverse the cross arm, and thelower part of the fixture 61 is permitted to rest on the cross arm,while the curved surface on the web 18 engages the side of the poleabove the cross arm.

The gin is then applied to the pole as follows:

The nut 92 is backed off until it approaches the end of the bolt so thatthere are plenty of threads to take up tension, and the chain is passedaround the pole, and the links which are closest to the chain lock areinserted in the chain lock, in the manner shown in Figs. '1 and 8.

Then the nut 92 is tightened by means of its handle 93, 9d until theprongs 19, 89 are drawn into the pole, and the gin is firmly secured onthe pole by means of the chain 84.

In this case the weight of the gin is borne partly by tlie cross arm Il,and the lower flat sur-V,

face H9 of the fixture 61 engaging the fiat top of the cross arm aids inpreventing the tipping orteetering of the gin on the pole. The .beam I3then extends in substantially vertical position, as the anges 16, 11 andweb 18 are preferably made Aof sufficient width to traverse the crossarm.

such case the beam acts more like a column than,

it does a cantilever, and its effective strength is accordinglyincreased as it approaches the vertical position.

The transformer 52 may be hung on the blocks which extend downwardlyfrom the swivel eye 38; and the transformer having already been providedwith cross arm hooks, it may be lifted, swung over, and placed on thecross arm, With the hooks on either side of the pole. In this con-`nection it should be noted that the length ofthe gin is preferably suchthat it is longer than the combined length of the swivel eye, block andtackle, hook, and parts of the transformer which are above thetransformer brackets, so that the transformer can be lifted Well abovethe place where it needs to be lifted to be placed on the cross arm.

In order to release the gin from the pole it is only necessary to backoif the screw 92 a short distance, when the chain will be loose enoughto have its link 84 moved out beyond the hooked surface |99 of the chainlock 98.

When the gin is to be used for securement to a pole and not inconnection With the cross arm, it

is applied as shown at the left of Fig. 1, and the two lower prongs 68,Si are adapted to engage the pole. The two upper prongs '19, 8 are alsoadapted to engage the pole, and the chain is secured about the pole andfastened in the chain lock in the same manner previously described.

When the nut 92 is driven home, tensioning the chain, the prongs EQ, 6|and 19, 80 are driven into the pole and find firm securement forpreventing the tilting of the gin through their engagement in the woodof the pole.

The chain extending about the pole is a very certain and satisfactoryand powerful mode of securing the gin to the pole, as there is nopossibility of the chain being released from the chain lock 98 as longas tension is applied by means of the bolt 8'! and nut 92.

The gin has a four point engagement with the pole, in addition to thecurved surfaces on the web 'I8 and the curved surface 59 on the fixture51. Although the gin extends at a slight angle in this case, as shown inFig. 1 at the left, it is still approximately in Vertical position andattains a maximum effective strength for its size and section.

The present gin may be used not only for lifting transformers, but forlifting poles for other equipment, and it is perfectly safe and certainin its attachment to the pole and to the block and tackle.

'Ihere is no danger of the tackle becoming twisted and no danger of thegin tilting, when properly applied. It can be applied to a pole veryquickly.

While I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, manymodifications may be made without departing from the spirit of theinvention, and I do not wish to be limited to the precise details ofconstruction set forth, but desire to avail myself of all changes withinthe scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

l. In a transformer gin, the combination of a column member adapted toextend substantially longitudinally of a line pole, said column membercomprising a pair of structural steel members nested and weldedtogether, said structural steel members each having a pair of diagonallyextending fianges joined by a substantially flat yoke, means carried byone end of said column for attachment of a load, and prolonged meanscarried by the other end of said column for engagement in the wood of apole, and a metal securing fixture carried intermediate the ends of saidcolumn, having a chain secured to one side thereof and adapted to extendabout a pole having means for engaging the other end of said chain andtightening the chain about the pole.

2. In a transformer gin, the combination of a column member adapted toextend substantially longitudinally of a line pole, said column membercomprising a pair of structural steel members nested and weldedtogether, said structural steel members each having a pair of diagonallyextending flanges joined by a substantially fiat yoke, means carried byone end of said column for attachment of a load, and pronged meanscarried by the other end of said column for engagement in the wood of apole, and a metal securing fixture carried intermediate the ends of saidcolumn, having a chain secured to one side thereof and adapted to extendabout a pole having means for engaging the other end of said chain andtightening the chain about the pole,

said means at the lower end of said column comprising a, cast metalmember having engaging surfaces complementary to the inside of thediagonal fianges of said column, and threaded means for securing saidcast metal member to said column.

3. A transformer gin comprising an elongated beam adapted to extendlongitudinally of a pole, said beam being provided at one end with meansfor attachment of a hoist and being provided at its other end with meansfor xedly engaging a pole, a fixture for attachment to the beamintermediate its ends, said fixture being provided with an aperturehaving surfaces complementary to the shape of the beam for engagementwith the beam in one position, and said fixture having surfaces on itsrear side for complementary engagement with surfaces on the front ofsaid beam whereby the beam may be attached in another position to thefixture, with the fixture projecting far enough to traverse a cross armwhen the beam is extending longitudinally of the pole.

4. In a transformer gin, the combination of a cast metal fixture ofsubstantially triangular form, having a pair of spaced prongs adapted toengage in a telephone pole, with a securing chain having one end securedto said fixture, a threaded bolt, said bolt extending substantiallytangentially of the pole, and having a threaded member with a radiallyprojecting lever for tightening of the chain, the other end of saidchain being secured in a pivoted locking member carried by said bolt,said pivoted locking member having two slots at an angle to each otherfor receiving two of the links of said chain, and an upwardly extendingcolumn carried by said fixture, said column having at its upper end afixed arm for supporting a transformer and at its lower end prong meansfor engaging the side of the pole.

5. In a transformer gin, the combination of a cast metal fixture ofsubstantially triangular form, having a pair of spaced prongs adapted toengage in a telephone pole, with a securing chain having one end securedto said fixture, a threaded bolt, said bolt extending substantiallytangentially of the pole, and having a threaded member with a radiallyprojecting lever for tightening of. the chain, the other end of saidchain being secured in a pivoted locking member carried by said bolt,said pivoted locking member having two slots `at an angle to each otherfor receiving two of the links of said chain, and an upwardly extendingcolumn carried by said fixture, said column having at its upper end afixed arm for supporting a transformer and at its lower end prong meansfor engaging the side of the pole, said column having a pair of fiangesextending at the same angle to each other as the sides of saidtriangular fixture, and said column having a yoke between said flangesengaging a complementary part of said fixture.

6. In a transformer gin, the combination of a cast metal fixture ofsubstantially triangular form, having a pair of spaced prongs adapted toengage in a telephone pole, with a securing chain having one end securedto said fixture, a threaded bolt, said bolt extending substantiallytangentially of the pole, and having a threaded member with a radiallyprojecting lever for tightening of the chain, the other end of saidchain being secured in a pivoted locking member carried by said bolt,said pivoted locking member having two slots at an angle to each otherfor receiving two of the links of said chain, and an upwardly extendingcolumn carried by said fixture, said column having at its upper end axed arm for supporting a transformer and at its lower end prong meansfor engaging the side of the pole, said column having a pair of flangesextending at the same angle to each other as the sides of saidtriangular fixture, and said column having a yoke between said flangesengaging a complementary part of said fixture, said column beingdisposed in a triangular aperture in said xture for the purpose ofmaintaining the column in more nearly vertical position when the gin isused on the side of a pole.

DAVID C. HUBBARD.

